Renaming users/accounts

[Ray Mitchell]

Hello,

When I originally installed WinXP I created an account named ABC and as a
result a folder by the same name was created in the "C:\Documents and
Settings" directory. I would now like to change that name to something else,
like XYZ. I've tried going to "User Accounts" and changing the name of the
account as well as going to "Computer Management" and renaming the user name
there too. Wile both of these didn't complain, the directiory name in
"C:\Documents and Settings" remains ABC. What is the trick? I'm afraid to
just rename the directory manually because I seem to remember getting into
trouble in the past when I tried such a thing.

Thanks,
Ray

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hello,

When I originally installed WinXP I created an account named ABC
and as a result a folder by the same name was created in the
"C:\Documents and Settings" directory. I would now like to change
that name to something else, like XYZ. I've tried going to "User
Accounts" and changing the name of the account as well as going to
"Computer Management" and renaming the user name there too. Wile
both of these didn't complain, the directiory name in "C:\Documents
and Settings" remains ABC. What is the trick? I'm afraid to just
rename the directory manually because I seem to remember getting
into trouble in the past when I tried such a thing.

The reason (or one of the reasons) it does not change is that it may be
referenced by countless applications, registry entries, etc. Do not change
it and do not be concerned with it.

If you insist on being concerned about the directory path (names contained
within) - your best option is to create a *new* user with the name you
desire and utilize something like the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard"
to move/copy the vital content of the old profile to your new account
safely.

If you need to reference the local path for some reason - the universal way
is to use the environment variable %USERPROFILE%. Not familar with it?

Start button --> RUN --> type in:

cmd /k ECHO %USERPROFILE%

--> Click OK.

At the top left of the command prompt that opens should be the path to the
currently logged on users profile directory.

Want to know more environment variables?

Start button --> RUN --> type in:

cmd /k set

--> Click OK.

It will list the many that the system sets and uses - and if more programs
actually used, what you are asking about might have a solution you would
like - many in reference to the user accounts and profile directories or
associated system directories. (%APPDATA%, %HOMEPATH%, etc.)

The path you are wondering about is set in at least one place in the
registry as well.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\<USER'S IDENTIFIER>\ProfileImagePath

 

[Ray Mitchell]

The reason (or one of the reasons) it does not change is that it may be
referenced by countless applications, registry entries, etc. Do not change
it and do not be concerned with it.

If you insist on being concerned about the directory path (names contained
within) - your best option is to create a *new* user with the name you
desire and utilize something like the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard"
to move/copy the vital content of the old profile to your new account
safely.

If you need to reference the local path for some reason - the universal way
is to use the environment variable %USERPROFILE%. Not familar with it?

Start button --> RUN --> type in:

cmd /k ECHO %USERPROFILE%

--> Click OK.

At the top left of the command prompt that opens should be the path to the
currently logged on users profile directory.

Want to know more environment variables?

Start button --> RUN --> type in:

cmd /k set

--> Click OK.

It will list the many that the system sets and uses - and if more programs
actually used, what you are asking about might have a solution you would
like - many in reference to the user accounts and profile directories or
associated system directories. (%APPDATA%, %HOMEPATH%, etc.)

The path you are wondering about is set in at least one place in the
registry as well.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\<USER'S IDENTIFIER>\ProfileImagePath

Thanks Shenen. Not only did you answer my question but you also provided
some useful resourses on environment variables.